Middlesbrough have attempted to head off any move by Everton for Juventus midfielder Stephan Appiah by lodging an official approach to the Turin club for the African.

Appiah looks to be on borrowed time at the Old Lady, with coach Fabio Capello having a wealth of midfield options at his disposal, and Juve are ready to listen to offers for the 24-year-old Ghanaian.

Boro boss Steve McClaren has held a long-term interest in the former Parma man, but it emerged recently that Appiah had caught the eye of Toffees chief David Moyes.

Moyes has since turned his attentions to Tottenham's Simon Davies and is close to pushing through a deal for the former Peterborough man, but Boro have been triggered into action over Appiah.

"He's somebody we have an interest in and if we can do anything there then we will," Boro chief executive Keith Lamb told the club's website.

"Juventus are aware of our interest but he's just one of a number of players on the manager's list."

Boro have already sealed a deal for Portsmouth striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni and it appears as if McClaren is eager to build on this season's fine showing in The Premiership.